Page 7 of 12 · complaints 301–350 of 573

2005 Saturn Ion complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Electrical System
Filed Jan 13, 201129,600 milesNV

VEHICLE WILL START INTERMITTENTLY ON COLD AND/OR DAMP MORNINGS. ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THE CAUSE TO BE A DEFECTIVE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM; A COMPONENT OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM), CONFIRMED BY AN EXPERIENCED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN. SAID TECHNICIAN HAS STATED TO COMPLAINANT THAT VEHICLE MAY BE SUBJECT TO RECALL DUE TO DEFECTIVE BCM; HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO NHTSA, THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL ONLY FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING ISSUES (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #09E012000). COMPLAINANT REQUESTS DETAILED RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS SPECIFIC PART (BCM), FOR THIS SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE (LISTED ABOVE). IF NO SUCH RECALL EXISTS, COMPLAINANT REQUESTS A RECALL BE INITIATED.

Visibility
Filed Jan 5, 201158,000 milesTX

DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER HAS BROKEN OFF AT THE BASE. NO SNOW IN AREA THAT WOULD OVERLOAD. I HAVE HEARD OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 5, 201178,000 milesTN

MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE IN AN AUTOMILE ACCIDENT BY HITTING A DEER HEAD ON THEN LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HITTING AND EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. WE HIT THE EMBANKMENT SO HARD THAT THE 2005 SATURN ION BOUNCED BACK OFF AND ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT NEVER CAUGHT RESULTING MY GIRLFRIEND TO BE INJURED BY THE STEERING WHEEL WITH LACERATIONS TO HER CHIN AND HER TEETH WENT THROUGH THE BACK OF HER LIP AND ALSO NECK AND BACK INJURIES FROM THE HARD IMPACT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE FRONT FRAME AND UNDERNEATH DAMAGE IT CAUSE. SHE HIT SO HARD THAT THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS PUSHED INTO THE MOTOR AND THE MOTOR WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE FIREWALL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 28, 201020,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE LOCK OUT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS 35 DEGREES AND BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STARTER. THE STARTER FOR THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 19, 201065,000 milesLA

2005 SATURN ION TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STOPPED BLINKING, BUT LAMPS NOT BURNED OUT. GM DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND EXTENSIVE AND COSTLY REPAIR! CAN'T FIND PARTS. CANNOT PROPERLY OPERATE VEHICLE WITH EXPIRED INSPECTION STICKER REQUIRED IN LA. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 12, 201064,982 milesIN

2005 SATURN ION POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 7, 201086,319 milesNC

PASSLOCK MALFUNCTION DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES NO CRANK AND ACTIVATION OF 10 MINUTE RELEARN SEQUENCE. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 40 DEGREES. HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR JANUARY 3RD, 2009. FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE HAS INCREASED, AND I'M SCARED THAT IT WILL CAUSE A CRASH IF I HAPPEN TO STALL IN TRAFFIC. THE REMEDY TO THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN NUMEROUS TECHNICAL FORUMS ON THE INTERNET - ALL OF WHICH POINT TO REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAUSE IS THOUGHT TO BE EXCESSIVE GREASE APPLIED TO THE INTERNALS OF THE SWITCH. I THINK GM SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED UNITS EXHIBITING THIS PROBLEM AND PROVIDE NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS AGGRAVATING AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS TECHNICAL FAULT. GM IS IGNORING THE ISSUE AND OFFERING SATURN OWNERS ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. IF GM DOES NOT ACT, THE LAW OF AVERAGES SAYS THAT EVENTUALLY SOMEONE MAY BE INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION. PLEASE HELP US. THIS ISN'T FAIR AT ALL. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 30, 201075,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 16, 2010CA

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, I COULD NOT RELEASE THE CAR KEY FROM THE IGNITION. I COULD TURN OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE ACC MODE. RELEASING THE KEY WOULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO A FEW MINUTES. THESE WERE INCIDENTS THAT COULD NOT BE TIED TO ANY SPECIFIC ACTION FROM THE DRIVER AND THAT WOULD OCCUR RANDOMLY. EVERY TIME I DROVE, I WAS AFRAID THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK AND THAT THIS WOULD FINALLY BE THE TIME THAT I COULD NOT GET IT OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN THERE ARE SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE BATTERY IS IN DANGER OF DYING. THE GM DEALERSHIP FOUND WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION WAS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE A RANGE OF PARTS. ANOTHER MECHANIC FOUND A DIFFERENT PROBLEM (A MALFUNCTIONING CYLINDER OF SORTS) AND REPLACED IT AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, I CAN DRIVE SAFELY AND WITH THE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT THE KEY WILL NO LONGER GET STUCK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 15, 201056,527 milesOH

VEHICLE DID NOT CRANK OR START WHEN KEY TURNED. PASSLOCK CODE BLINKED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. KNOWN NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10007431 NO CRANK, NO START WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES IS COLD - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) B2960 AND OR B3033 ARE SET.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 11, 2010TX

THE KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION WHENEVER I TRY TO TURN THE CAR OFF. IT TAKES AWHILE BEFORE I AM ABLE TO GET IT OUT, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY ALREADY. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR ION OWNERS. WITH IT BEING SO COMMON I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 9, 2010106,800 milesTX

POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES UP ON MY 2005 SATURN ION 3-- I WAS DRIVING AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT-- I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK AND NOW THEY TELL ME I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE POWER STEERING COLUMN- GM EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YRS OR 100,000 MILES WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST -WELL I HAVE 5 YEARS WITH MY COMPANY AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND I HAVE OBVIOUSLY GONE HIGHER THAN THE 100,000 MILES AND NOW GM WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSES.. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTIVE POWERSTEERING ISSUE. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 4, 2010122,242 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER I STOPPED AND CHECKED THINGS UNDER THE HOOD I RESTARTED THE CAR THEN THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 3, 2010101,499 milesSC

2005 SATURN ION 2 COUPE, POWER STEERING GOES OUT ACCOMPANIED WITH A CHIME AND A PWR STR WARNING ON DASH. RESETS AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM RECURS SHORTLY AFTER RESET. DTC CODE C0475 .THERE IS A RECALL ON CHEVY COBALT FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT ON THIS CAR, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE ACCENTUALLY THE SAME CAR. PART # ON THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IS 995-10800 WHICH IS THE PART # FOR A COBALT POWER STEERING MOTOR. GM SAYS THERE IS SPECIAL COVERAGE ON THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY IF IT FAILS. NO RECALL ? I WILL BE INSTALLING A NEW MOTOR PART # 19257875 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 2, 201023,000 milesNJ

SATURN ION 2005 MODEL DOES NOT RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER YOU TURN OFF THE CAR. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 22, 201090,000 milesIA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO WAIT FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2010101,000 milesIL

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION WHICH IS NOW OVER 100,00K MILES. THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING SIGNALS ON DASHBOARD. THERE IS NO FLUID RESERVOIR TO PUT THE FLUID AND THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. I TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND STILL NO LUCK. AFTER READING UP ON THE SATURN ISSUE, I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH DIFFERENT MAKES AND YEAR OF THE SAME MODEL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE NO MONEY TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF SATURN (GM) IS GOING TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IT COST OVER $900.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING SATURN DEALERS BUT OF COURSE THE COMPANY HAS BEEN SOLD. I HAVE CONTACTED A GM DEALERS REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY JUST TRY TO REPAIR THE ISSUE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP WITH WARRANTY ISSUES. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 10, 201033,330 milesWA

NO FAILURE YET. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 SATURN ION. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 7, 201051,000 milesIN

I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT 7/5/2010, IN A 2005 SATURN ION, WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. NOW, IT HAPPENS ALMOST CONSTANTLY, THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT, IT HAPPENED 10 TIMES JUST TODAY 7/7/2010. EVERY TIME, I HAVE PULLED OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, BEFORE RESTARTING CAR AND CONTINUING, JUST AS THE TSB FROM GM ADVISES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES, AND YET THE POWER STEERING IS OUT ON IT. GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR CHEVROLET COBALTS, PONTIAC G5, ETC, FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, YET HAVE NOT FOR SATURN IONS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NEARLY THE SAME VEHICLE, AND HAVE THE SAME PARTS AND PROBLEMS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 30, 2010125,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COLD WEATHER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE STARTER AND THE CONTACT AGREED WITH THE REPAIR. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE AN ISSUE STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 28, 201037,345 milesMI

MY POWER STEERING UNIT ON MY 2005 SATURN ION 3 (WITH ONLY 37,345 MILES ON IT) WENT OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 26, 201050,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE SOUNDING OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE USING EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT'S KEYS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BECOME LODGED WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 25, 201012,000 milesCO

I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION. THE KEY CONTINUES TO GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. 3 DIFFERENT TIMES NOW. I HAVE A BOAT LOAD OF PAPER WORK FROM DIFFERENT SHOPS, FROM THEM FIXING (?) MY CAR, STARTING WITH SATURN, THAN I HAD TO GO TO THE GMC DEALERSHIP, DUE TO SATURN BEING CLOSED. ALSO, THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. IT'S AN AUTOMATIC. I WENT ON LINE TO ASK A SATURN MECHANIC WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS FIXED, AND BASICALLY NOTHING. HE SAID THERE WOULD NOT BE A RECALL DUE TO SATURN BEING CLOSED NOW, AND IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IF I'M UNABLE TO GET IT TO A GMC DEALERSHIP, UNLESS THERE IS ONE OPEN 24/7 IN THE DENVER AREA. I'M AT MY WHITS END. I'M REPORTING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, THE 1ST WAS IN 2007. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 201091,000 milesTX

THE IGNITION ON THE 2005 SATURN ION WILL LOCK WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE "ON" POSITION. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COMPONENTS REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 201041,082 milesSC

WHEN I WOULD TRY TO TURN MY CAR OFF I COULD ONLY TURN THE KEY HALF AND WOULD TAKE A WHILE BEFORE I COULD GET THE CAR TURNED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE KEY OUT. ON APRIL 17TH I WENT TO MY NIGHT JOB IT TOOK 3 TO 4 HRS FOR THE KEY TO FINALLY COME LOOSE AFTER TRYING TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I GOT HOME THAT EVENING AROUND 10:30 PM IT TOOK TILL 4:30AM TO FINALLY GET MY KEY OUT. ON COMSUMERAFFAIRS.COM THERE IS 47 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE STARTING BACK FROM 4-8-2006 AND THE LAST ONE WAS REPORTED ON 8-11-2010. WHY HASN'T GM STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALLED AND REPLACED THIS ISSUE. I HAD TO SPEND $442.65 FOR A NEW SHIFTER AND CABLE. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 11, 2010VA

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILS AFTER VEHICLE IS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON RESETS IT. FUSE IS INTACT (POWER STEERING IN THIS CAR IS ELECTRICAL, NOT HYDRAULIC). *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 11, 201043,000 milesSC

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT TWICE TODAY ON MY 2005 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME WITH NO PROBLEMS WILL BE TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP IN THE MORNING. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE PROBLEM AND IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL NOTICE THAT GM FOR THE PONTIAC G5 AND THE CHEVY COBALT. WHAT GIVES? THE SATURN IONS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL IMMEDIATELY!!!!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 6, 201070,000 milesNM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON. SUDDENLY I WAS STRUGGLING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE THE CAR TURN TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS REALLY HARD UP UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF. I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND IT WORKED. LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE GOING TO WORK, THEN COMING BACK TO WORK. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY OTHER DAY NOW FOR THE PAST WEEK. THERE IS APPARENTLY NO PARTS THAT I CAN CHANGE FOR IT. AND BECAUSE SATURN IONS USE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ADD STEERING FLUID SINCE THERE IS NO RESERVOIR. IT SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS ELECTRONIC DEFECT A LOT OF SATURN ION OWNERS ARE HAVING. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 4, 201070,250 milesCA

I WAS JUST DRIVING AND I HEARD A CLICK AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 3 OR 4 MINUTES AFTER I START DRIVING EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. HEARD IT COSTS ANY WHERE FROM $500- $1000 TO FIX. HAVE ALSO FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 3, 201060,500 milesCA

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION AND THE POWER STEERING ONE DAY JUST CUT OFF WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. IT WAS FINE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR. I TRIED CHANGING FUSES BUT NOTHING WORKED. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT HAS THE SAME CAR, AND I HEARD ITS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF ION'S. NOW I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL AND THIS IS A HAZARD TO MY DRIVING ABILITY. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 2, 201057,520 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING THEN FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BECOME ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESTART IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESET ITSELF AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,520 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/7/10 *CN

Steering
Filed Aug 1, 201037,000 milesWI

I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN DRIVING. IT WAS ONCE A MONTH OR SO BUT NOW IT IS EVERY TIME. HAVE TAKEN IT TO AUTO SHOPS AND THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND SHE PICKS UP OUR TWO CHILDREN. WE DRIVE IN TOWN AND ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL. VERY UNSAFE! THE SATURN DEALERSHIP CLOSED DOWN LAST YEAR AND THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 1 HOUR AWAY VIA INTERSTATE. SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF TO RESET THE STEERING. IT WORKS WELL FOR ONLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS IS NOW A DAILY OCCURRENCE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 28, 201055,000 milesFL

A WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE STATING "POWER STEERING OUT" IN CENTER OF DASHBOARD GOES ON, A LOAD BEEP SOUNDS AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A DAY IN MY 16 MILES ROUND TRIP COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT FAILURE AS OF TODAY. I TURN ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN AND POWER STEERING RE-ENGAGES. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 27, 201074,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE HAD REGAINED POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES AND RESUMED THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIRS FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 27, 201091,400 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED DURING THE CONTACT'S TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,400.

Steering
Filed Jul 27, 201042,000 milesPA

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION. MY WARRANTY RAN UP ON JUNE 11TH. JULY 1ST MY POWERSTEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING QUIT. TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKS AGAIN. NOW IT TURNS OFF AFTER 5 SECONDS SO BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING FOR WEEKS NOW. I FEEL IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. TRIED REACHING SATURN DEALER KEPT GETTING TRANSFERRED TO VOICE MAIL FOR 2 WEEKS TO A JOHN. NO RESPONSE FROM THEM AFTER 2 WEEKS. WENT TO MY MECHANIC DID DIAGNOSTIC THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WENT BAD AT 42000 MILES. HE TOLD ME THAT ON LINE HE SAW THAT SATURN WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR. TOLD ME TO GOTO SATURN. GOT HORRIBLE SERVICE THERE SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WORK WITH ME. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT WHILE I WAS THERE AND THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESP ON BACK ROADS. I ASKED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE MOTOR AND WAS TOLD "WELL THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED YET SO YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY." WENT TO ONE SITE HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T1167668-2004_SATURN_ION_POWER_STEERING_PROBLEM SAW PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 MODEL THAT HAS SAME MOTOR FOR STEERING. ONE EVEN HAD THE SAME MILEAGE AS I DO. I GO BACK TO THE DEALER ON AUG 3 BECAUSE THEY SAID ITS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL THEY DO IT THEM SELVES. ANOTHER $40 FOR SAME TEST MY MECHANIC ALREADY DID. WHAT SHOULD I DO. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL CAR. THANKS *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 26, 2010TX

THERE IS CURRENTLY AN ACTIVE RECALL OUT FOR THE 2005 ' 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE CHEVY COBALT AND THE SATURN ION ARE EXTREMELY SIMILAR VEHICLES AND HAVE THE SAME MOTOR. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MINE REPLACED AT MY OWN COST. I APPROACHED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT SINCE SATURN IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT BE DOING A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM IS PROLIFIC THAT MY MECHANIC HAD TO HAVE A MOTOR SENT BY FEDERAL EXPRESS FROM DALLAS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO MOTORS IN HOUSTON DUE TO THE RECALL OF THE CHEVY COBALT. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 25, 201058,000 milesTX

DURING MY NORMAL COMMUTE 18 MILES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT AND THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS EACH DRIVE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 21, 201073,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION WITH APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURE FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN OR ANYTHING-- THE CAR JUST LOSES POWER WHILE IN MOTION. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS, I AM NOT PREPARED AND I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN MY WHEEL. ONCE, I NEARLY HIT A CAR IN OPPOSING TRAFFIC BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL FAST ENOUGH TO MAKE A SHARP TURN. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE MANY ION OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT THE HEFTY PRICE OF ABOUT $1000. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY SUCH AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY GM. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 21, 201042,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42000.

Steering
Filed Jul 20, 201085,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 19, 201062,230 milesVA

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION, 2.2 L. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS GONE ON JULY16 - JULY 18 AND LOST POWER STEERING 5 DIFFERENT TIMES. I HAVE DIFFICULT MAKING ANY KIND OF TURN THEN. I HAVE TO PULL OVER SOMEWHERE SAFE, STOP THE CAR, WAIT A MINUTE OR TWO AND START THE CAR UP AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING IS THEN FINE AGAIN. I WATCH FOR THE WARNING NOW BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN. THE WEATHER ON THE DAYS THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT HAS BEEN VERY,VERY HOT- 90'S TO 100'S. I HAVE NOT GONE TO DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT IT, STILL DEBATING WHAT TO DO. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 19, 201067,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67000.

Steering
Filed Jul 18, 2010155,110 milesOH

I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION. I HAVE 3 MORE PAYMENTS LEFT ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON 7/16/10 AND MY PWR STR LIGHT CAME ON THE DISPLAY. I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE WEB AND IT APPEARS THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON 3 OR 4 OTHER GM MODELS OF CARS THAT HAVE THE SAME "POWER STEERING MOTOR" HOWEVER, THE SATURN DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ONE OF THEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 16, 201072,000 milesLA

PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. NOW, EVERYTIME I START MY CAR THE POWER STEERING LAST FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND THEN IT GOES OUT. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2010139,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM WOULD SOUND, THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY TIGHT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE WAS FAILING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 14, 2010140,148 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A FAILURE WITHIN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,148. UPDATED 09/29/10. *LJ

Steering
Filed Jul 13, 201060,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 13, 2010NJ

WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A BELL GO OFF IN THE DASH AND THEN LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING WHEEL AND ALMOST CRASHED BECAUSE I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE I NOTICED A LIGHT WHICH WAS ON "POWER STEERING". SO I ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION.

Steering
Filed Jul 10, 201034,000 milesCA

DEAR SIR/MADAM, THIS COMPLAINT IS ACTUALLY NOT ABOUT A REPAIR PER SE, BUT ABOUT THE WAY SATURN HANDLED MY CASE. - THE FAULT: POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR BROKE IN MID-DRIVE, LEAVING THE CAR ALMOST MANEUVERABLE - I CALLED SATURN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ENQUIRE WHAT TO DO - SATURN TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND ACTUALLY HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR FOR SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS. - SATURN EXPLICITLY SAID OVER THE PHONE 'WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT', AND THAT THEY WOULD PICK UP MOST OR ALL OF THE CHARGE - SATURN TOLD ME TO GET THE ISSUE REPAIRED AT STEWART AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IN COLMA, CA, WHICH I DID - THE REPAIR WAS $750 FOR A CAR THAT IS WORTH LESS THAN $5000! - A WEEK LATER SATURN CALLED AGAIN AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST ANYMORE. - THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE PROMISE MADE BY SATURN THE WEEK BEFORE - I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND TRIED TO GET THEM TO PICK UP SOME OF THE CHARGE BECAUSE THIS IS LIKELY TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. - I AM NOW STUCK WITH THE CHARGE. THE CAR WORKS NOW, BUT I AM STILL HOPING FOR A RECALL. - I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO POINT OUT THAT STEWART AUTOMOTIVE SEEMED VERY ANNOYED ABOUT THE CHANGE OF MIND BY SATURN, BUT SAID THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, THEY ARE ONLY AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE/DEALER. SO THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SATURN, NOT STEWART AUTOMOTIVE. PLEASE GET SATURN TO DO A RECALL ON THE SATURN ION-1 (MINE IS A 2005 MODEL). [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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